Atlanta Airport Customs: What To Expect

Atlanta Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling 110 million annual passengers pre-Covid. The airport has been described as a nightmare for customs, with travellers reporting long waits and difficulty in changing terminals. However, others have said that they have never had a bad experience with customs at Atlanta Airport. The airport is designed for connections, with concourses laid out in a row and connected by the Plane Train, meaning that once you clear security on the domestic or international side, you have access to the entire airport.

The design of the airport

Atlanta Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling 110 million annual passengers pre-Covid. The airport is designed for connections, with concourses laid out in a row and connected by the Plane Train on the central spine. This means that once you have cleared security on the domestic or international side, you have access to the entire airport and are not limited to your specific concourse.

However, some travellers have reported negative experiences with customs at Atlanta Airport, with long waits and crowds. This may be due in part to the high volume of international flights arriving at the same time, particularly on weekends when multiple flights from the Caribbean land simultaneously.

The process of clearing customs and rechecking bags for domestic flights can also be cumbersome. If arriving at Terminal E and connecting to another flight, customs and luggage collection are done in the same terminal before proceeding to the tagged onward destination. However, if staying in Atlanta after arriving at Terminal E, it is necessary to hike to Terminal F to go through customs and claim luggage there.

The set-up of customs

Atlanta Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, handling 110 million annual passengers pre-Covid. The airport is designed for connections, so once you've cleared security on the domestic or international side, you have access to the entire airport. Each concourse is laid out in a row, and they're connected by the Plane Train on the central spine.

However, some travellers have complained about the set-up of customs. One user on Reddit described Atlanta Airport customs as a "total nightmare", explaining that it is painful to have to clear customs, pick up your bags, and then recheck them domestically. Another user agreed that the airport can be a nightmare on Saturdays and Sundays around 7 pm when multiple international flights arrive at the same time.

Staffing levels

Atlanta Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling 110 million annual passengers pre-Covid. Staffing levels are generally considered to be low, with one source stating that "staffing in general has been bad but that is affecting every industry". However, another source states that they have "been through customs there a dozen times maybe and never had a bad experience/long wait".

The airport is designed for connections, with passengers clearing security on the domestic or international side and then having access to the entire airport. This means that passengers are not limited to their specific concourse. Each concourse is laid out in a row and they are connected by the Plane Train on the central spine.

Despite this, some passengers have reported long waits at customs. This may be due to the fact that multiple international flights can arrive at the same time, causing a large number of people to flood into the customs area. It is also necessary for passengers to pick up their bags after clearing customs and then recheck them domestically, which can add to the time spent in the customs area.

The design of the airport may also contribute to the perception of low staffing levels. For example, if a passenger arrives at concourse E and has a connection, they must go through customs and claim their luggage in concourse F, which is described as "a hike".

The number of passengers

Atlanta Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling 110 million annual passengers pre-Covid. The airport is designed for connections, meaning that once you have cleared security on the domestic or international side, you have access to the entire airport. However, some travellers have complained that the customs process is a total nightmare, with long waits and the need to re-check bags for domestic flights. Customs is set up by customs, so even if you are connecting through another airport, you will still have to wait in line.

The customs experience at Atlanta Airport can be particularly bad on Saturdays and Sundays around 7 pm when multiple international flights arrive at the same time. This can result in long lines and crowds of people. However, other travellers have reported having no issues with customs at Atlanta Airport, with one person stating that they have been through customs there a dozen times and never had a bad experience.

The time of day

The design of the airport means that, if you need to change terminals, it can be difficult. However, the airport does a great job of facilitating connections: you clear security on the domestic or international side, then you have access to the entire airport. Each concourse is laid out in a row, and they're connected by the Plane Train on the central spine.

If you're arriving at concourse E and have a connection, customs is done in E and checked luggage will go to the tagged onward destination. If you're staying in Atlanta after arriving at E, it's a hike to concourse F to go through customs and claim your luggage.

Frequently asked questions